Abersoch RNLI lifeboat tows two broken down boats to safety

The latest shout saw Abersoch RNLI’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat The Peter and Ann Setten was launched at 6.40pm on Saturday (April 2) to the aid of a broken down motorboat with three men on board. Initial reports about its position, in the vicinity of Aberdaron, were unclear.

Holyhead Coastguard were able to confirm, however, that it was the same vessel that the Abersoch RNLI volunteers had escorted to safety from the Aberdaron area nine days before. According to local knowledge this vessel had restarted its passage to Liverpool some time after 2.30pm that afternoon.

The swelling sea in Porth Neigwl and the gradually diminishing light made searching a difficult task but the crew persevered and eventually spotted the casualty. The powerful Atlantic 85 lifeboat made good progress in the conditions, bringing the volunteers alongside the vessel at 7.30pm.

It had made an unsuccessful attempt to anchor, drifting about 200 yards off the rocks at Trwyn Talfarach at the western end of Porth Neigwl. An RNLI crew member boarded the 33 foot wooden craft, a line was attached and a tow was initiated.

It was then decided that the casualty be taken to Pwllheli Marina and Holyhead Coastguard tasked Pwllheli RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat to assist.

After approximately an hour and at a point two miles south-east of Abersoch near Porth Ceiriad, Abersoch's Peter and Ann Setten lifeboat met the Pwllheli all-weather lifeboat Lilly & Vincent Anthony, which was under the command of Second Coxswain Bryn Ellis for the first time since he passed out as a fully qualified Coxswain.

AbersochAbersoch RNLI volunteer crew returned to station at 8.46pm while Pwllheli RNLI lifeboat towed the casualty into the marina, where is was berthed by 9.45pm.

Pwllheli's lifeboat was back on station and ready to relaunch by 10pm.

Three days earlier Abersoch RNLI’s new Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat was called for its second service of 2016 on Thursday 31 March.

The Peter and Ann Setten was launched at 11.22am after receiving reports of a broken down powerboat five miles directly east of Abersoch. There were five pepole on board, three men and two boys.

In a calm sea, the Abersoch volunteer crew members were on scene in 14 minutes and found the casualty at anchor. One of the RNLI crewmen boarded the 26 foot vessel and a line was attached. It was then carefully towed to the Warren Beach.

After checking that all was well, the crew returned to station at 12.52pm.

Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.